Comparison of lapilli otoliths and pectoral fin rays for estimating age of Northern Pikeminnows

Northwest Science
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Abstract

The Northern Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis is a piscivorous cyprinid native to western North America. Information on the best structure for estimating the age of Northern Pikeminnows is a key knowledge gap that may limit inquiries on management efforts. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate between-reader precision and concordance between age estimates for lapilli otoliths and pectoral fin rays from Northern Pikeminnows. Age estimates from lapilli otoliths were compared to those from pectoral fin rays of 150 Northern Pikeminnows captured from Lake Cascade, Idaho, in April–May 2022. Exact percent agreement of estimated ages between the readers was higher for fin rays (75.3%) than otoliths (50.0%), with a mean coefficient of variation of 3.5 and 8.7, respectively. Readers also assigned a confidence rating (0–3; higher value reflects higher confidence in age estimate) to each structure. Confidence ratings were higher for fin ray age estimates (mean ± SD; 1.6 ± 0.6) than otolith estimates (1.1 ± 0.7) between readers. A consensus age was estimated for each structure and fish. Agreement between consensus age estimates for otoliths and fin rays was 26.7% with a coefficient of variation of 14.0. Our findings suggest that fin rays were easier to collect, process, and read than otoliths, and resulted in more precise age estimates than otoliths. Results from our study provide guidance on the best structures for estimating the age of Northern Pikeminnows that can be used to inform management efforts.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Comparison of lapilli otoliths and pectoral fin rays for estimating age of Northern Pikeminnows
Series title Northwest Science
DOI 10.3955/046.098.0106
Volume 98
Issue 1
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 7 p.
First page 79
Last page 85
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Lake Cascade
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